KMICH/1

Kermode/1907, 101, states that Ogham was first `described by Lord Southesk from a drawing and description by Mr. J.H. Nicholson and the Rev. E.B. Savage', and that the second Ogham was recognised by himself and John Rhys in 1892.

The stone itself was first recorded in Gibson/1722, 1458--1459.

Kermode/1907, 195: `still stands on the wall, north side of the churchyard gates, Michael, where it was when etched by Kinnebrook in 1841'.

Cubbon/1964, 214, states that this stone was one of a `collection [which] had been brought together under the lych-gate of the parish church in 1907'. He goes on to say that `The Manx Museum Trustees...obtained the necessary authority for a carefully worked-out scheme for the removal of the cross-slabs...and their repositioning inside the church, at a suitable position in the north transept. The work was carried through during July and August, 1963'. Cubbon also notes that the stone has the Manx Museum no. MM 130.

Kermode/1907, 196--197, gives a full description of what he terms `delicate' carving, which was done in relief.

On either side of the shaft of the cross are carved figures. On both sides the lower figure is carrying what looks like a walking stick. The upper figures on the left hand side are a dog chasing a stag. On the right-hand side there is a figure with a beard playing a harp, and another figure holding what might be a drinking horn. Above them are the remains of another `dog chasing stag' scene.

The cross itself is decorated with weaving patterns, except for a blank panel half way down the shaft, and for the four points of the cross which are decorated with interlace. The cross has a central roundel, and the outlines of the shaft and the ring have what could be temed `piping'.

1099 - 1200 (Kermode/1907)Kermode/1907, 100: `cut after the stone had been carved and set up...it follows that they cannot be earlier than the end of the eleventh century'.1000 - 1099 (Sims-Williams/1992)

Language:

Goidelic (oghms)

Ling. Notes:

Kermode/1907, 100: `a perfect alphabet...in the order as set forth in the Book of Ballymote'.

Palaeography:

Kermode/1907, 100-101: `The alphabet here given is in Bind Ogams...the groups have been purposely made of different lengths; they are at different angles...the bind-line of the second Ogam in each of the four series is extended backwards to cap the single score preceding it'.

Notes

1099 - (Kermode/1907)Kermode dates the Oghams to after the cross was erected, which was eleventh century.

Language:

Goidelic (oghms)

Ling. Notes:

none

Palaeography:

McManus/1991, 130: 'there is a complete Ogam alphabet in which the ends of the scores of each letter are joined by straight lines as found in Pictish Ogams'. The inscription is carved an a stem-line, and with what might be bind-oghams.

Legibility:

poorKermode/1907, 100-101: `now so weathered and worn as to be, I fear, impossible to decipher...[I] have been unable to make anything of it, except that it undoubtedly was an ogam inscription'.

References

[B]ETRA:ES:LAIFA:FUSTRA
:KUThAN:ThAN:SON:ILAN +Expansion:[B]ETRA ES LAIFA FUSTRA KUTHAN THAN SON ILAN +Translation:Better it is to leave a good foster than a bad son.Kermode/1907 198 reading only Page/1983 234, 239 substantial discussion